Unexpected trains as substitute traction.

[AY1975]

Talking to a ScotRail driver recently he mentioned that he once took a Class 156 from Glasgow Central to Carlisle on hire to Virgin as no electric trains could move owing to overhead damage. The train was summoned at short notice and was packed with passengers for London. He was route conducted to Carlisle by a Virgin driver at 75mph on the West Coast Main Line.

According to entry 162 on page 6 of the thread on Class 304 EMUs at https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/class-304-emus.166141/page-6 a Class 304 did once reach Carlisle on a service from Preston in 1990.

I've also read on this forum that a Pacer made it to King's Cross to replace an East Coast service.

Does anyone have any details of which service it was and the date? That must have been one of the few times that a Pacer reached London. According to the thread on Pacers operating in London at https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/did-pacers-ever-operate-in-london.200310/ a Pacer once worked the 00.45 Cardiff-Paddington from Bristol in about 1997.

 

[47827]

What, all the way from Liverpool to Newcastle?


Loco-hauled trains did occasionally turn up in place of DMUs on the Conwy Valley line in the 1980s. I remember travelling behind a Class 31 from Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog in 1989.

See also this thread on loco haulage in Wales: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/memories-of-loco-haulage-in-wales.182139/

Yes. 142s have worked through to Newcastle in early 1991 from Liverpool. Don't think it happened again after that. Just an odd 156 etc I think after that.

I do remember the Blaenau workings being reported. I think the following classes all featured at some state in the 1980s:
25, 31, 40, 45 and 47 (essentially what LLJ drivers signed). Recall there being pics of at least a few of those floating about. Other classes may have too that I can't recall especially before the 1980s and including on dmu drags. At least 1 year there was a booked turn in the summer when 1 of the hauled sets did a round trip vice dmu instead of sitting at Llandudno.

 

[D1537]

Not severe weather - they'd just scrapped a few too many thumpers at the time.

Could well have been a 56 though. They look similar to me even now.

the 56 was a development of the 47. 47's were very rare in that area most freights were 33's,37's, 56's or 73's

Certainly in the 1987 drags, although the 56s got the headlines, 47s did a significant amount of the EMU dragging
14/1/87: 47131/330/372, 56001/062
15/1/87: same as previous day, plus 47144
16/1/87: 47144/235, same two 56s
17/1/87: 47330/363, same two 56s

 

[randyrippley]

Class 73s were prone to overheating when working on Diesel power, so I think they did well to reach Birmingham New Street

I read somewhere that they were both declared failures through overheating next day

 

[D1537]

I do remember the Blaenau workings being reported. I think the following classes all featured at some state in the 1980s:
25, 31, 40, 45 and 47 (essentially what LLJ drivers signed). Recall there being pics of at least a few of those floating about. Other classes may have too that I can't recall especially before the 1980s and including on dmu drags. At least 1 year there was a booked turn in the summer when 1 of the hauled sets did a round trip vice dmu instead of sitting at Llandudno.

That was 1986, booked for a Crewe 47/4. Came off the Stoke-Llandudno turn. There was a nice move you could do with a Euston-Holyhead to LLJ, have a trip to Blaenau, and drop into the hauled service coming back. Looking at my notes I did it three times, with 47442, 47453 and 47529.

 

[317362]

Turned up on a very windy 1990ish Saturday morning at St Neots to catch the normal 317 to London to be confronted with a 101 on the fast line. We ended up getting on then it got cancelled before it moved, it was destined for KX but further line failure south of Bggleswade so didn't happen. I was about 10, I have a terrible pic of it somewhere.

 

[QJ]

Norbiton Flyer mentioned, "I did read of a class 74+TC combination, which had somehow ended up back to front at Waterloo, and was put right way round by deputising for the more usual rolling stock on a Kingston Loop service."

There was quite a regular turn on a Sunday during the 1970s when engineering work caused an Exeter LHCS set to be the wrong way round on arrival at Waterloo. There is a photo in one of the Bradford Barton books of a class 74 on LHCS (not TC sets) round the Kingston loop on such a working. The class 74 used was spare between duties at Waterloo. Unfortunately by the time I was in a position to ride the train class 74s had been withdrawn so a JA did the honours. My memory of riding the train was the buffet was open during the journey.

23/07/1978 73004 - 1508 Waterloo - Kingston - Twickenham - Waterloo

Back on 02/11/1981 and the 1O10 0940 Exeter Saint Davids to London Waterloo was formed of 3H DEMU 1101 as far as Salisbury where passengers swopped to LHCS hauled by 50017 to continue the journey to London.

Even further back on 16 April 1974 the class 33 booked to haul 1O18 from Exeter Saint Davids to Waterloo was declared a failure at departure time. The Crompton was removed and originally replaced by a Western only for it in turn to be removed and D7017 plonked on the front. I got a right rollocking for being late home having missed my train home to enjoy my one and only Hymek in BR service haulage the mega distance of 62 chains to Exeter Central.

 

[Cowley]

There was quite a regular turn on a Sunday during the 1970s when engineering work caused an Exeter LHCS set to be the wrong way round on arrival at Waterloo. There is a photo in one of the Bradford Barton books of a class 74 on LHCS (not TC sets) round the Kingston loop on such a working. The class 74 used was spare between duties at Waterloo. Unfortunately by the time I was in a position to ride the train class 74s had been withdrawn so a JA did the honours. My memory of riding the train was the buffet was open during the journey.

23/07/1978 73004 - 1508 Waterloo - Kingston - Twickenham - Waterloo

Back on 02/11/1981 and the 1O10 0940 Exeter Saint Davids to London Waterloo was formed of 3H DEMU 1101 as far as Salisbury where passengers swopped to LHCS hauled by 50017 to continue the journey to London.

Even further back on 16 April 1974 the class 33 booked to haul 1O18 from Exeter Saint Davids to Waterloo was declared a failure at departure time. The Crompton was removed and originally replaced by a Western only for it in turn to be removed and D7017 plonked on the front. I got a right rollocking for being late home having missed my train home to enjoy my one and only Hymek in BR service haulage the mega distance of 62 chains to Exter Central.

Wonderful stuff!

 

[neilmc]

When I was trainspotting in Leeds during the late 1960s we always looked forward to seeing the long-distance trains from Cardiff or Swansea arrive as they would often turn up a "cop" Class 47, even better often a namer. We hoped vaguely to one day see a Western being rostered for this duty but of course if they ever were they would be switched for a diesel-electric at Birmingham, so we never did.

But on 20th January 1977 unbelievably D1013 Western Ranger did the entire journey on the 07:30 Swansea to Leeds and returned from Leeds in service the same day. The loco was withdrawn the following month. I never saw a hydraulic anywhere near Leeds, although Hull Dairycoates were saddled with dozens of the D9500 class 1s as a replacement for their steam in 1967. They didn't last long either.

A few years earlier a "Hall" had been rostered on a football special to Huddersfield, whether this was a substitute or not I don't know but it was out of gauge and damaged its cylinders at Denby Dale. Spotters loved such instances but I think the operating departments were rightly very wary of letting strange monsters from the Western Region on their metals.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

On 18 December 2019, a pair of Class 707's made it down to Southampton, working the 17:35 London Waterloo to Southampton Central service, following power supply issues.

 

[D1537]

I forgot this one. In January 1983, a southbound Anglo-Scottish passenger service arrived at Carlisle with 27032 vice-electric due to electrical problems - it was then diverted over the Settle and Carlisle and 27032 worked as far as Crewe.

 

[306024]

1979. A 9 car class 306 EMU on a Liverpool St to Norwich service as far as Colchester. A lively ride to say the least.

 

[jumble]

About 20 years ago we were visiting Amersham for the annual heritage day
We arrived at Harrow on the Hill to unexpectedly find Metrovick Sarah Siddons waiting to leave as a normal service train and jumped on.
I wonder how long it has been since Sarah was in normal service?

 

[Whistler40145]

About 20 years ago we were visiting Amersham for the annual heritage day
We arrived at Harrow on the Hill to unexpectedly find Metrovick Sarah Siddons waiting to leave as a normal service train and jumped on.
I wonder how long it has been since Sarah was in normal service?

Indeed, some time ago I have seen photos of Sarah Siddons arriving at Windsor & Eton Riverside Station on a special

 

[Royston Vasey]

Before my time - a catastrophic shortage of working DMU's had a 31 with 2 parcels vans (electrically lit ones) plus 6 platfrom benches forming Bedford to Bletchley.

I don't believe that one for a minute

 

[D1537]

I don't believe that one for a minute

Whether it's an urban myth or not, I've also heard that one!

 

[Mag_seven]

What about the train formed by one HST power car on the Newquay branch:

Rather than attempt to de-train the passengers and all their luggage in this almost inaccessible location, they were all moved through to the rear power car, No 43029. After uncoupling, it returned at walking pace through the tunnel to Luxulyan Station where the passengers alighted and were taken to Par in a fleet of cars.

http://www.luxsoft.demon.co.uk/village/hst.html

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

About 20 years ago we were visiting Amersham for the annual heritage day
We arrived at Harrow on the Hill to unexpectedly find Metrovick Sarah Siddons waiting to leave as a normal service train and jumped on.
I wonder how long it has been since Sarah was in normal service?

The Steam on the Met events also saw unusual traction on the Chesham shuttle from Chalfont and Latimer. In different years I remember a Class 205, Class 121 and the C Stock in Yellow Pages livery providing something unusual. One year one of the booked steam locos failed on the morning of the event and was replaced by one on London Underground's tube profile battery electric locos. Coupled to a coaching stock set gave a unique view through the corridor door over the loco onto the line ahead.

 

[Taunton]

I did read of a class 74+TC combination, which had somehow ended up back to front at Waterloo, and was put right way round by deputising for the more usual rolling stock on a Kingston Loop service.

Got done in the 1980s with a wrong way round REP+ one TC (8 car sets used to turn up on Sundays) as well, probably a documented approach to a set getting turned. In this case it was between arrival and departure on Bournemouth services, the buffet remained staffed and open round the loop, and the steward made some sales to disbelieving passengers.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I don't believe that one for a minute

Arranged by a very good friend when he was Station Manager BY , a man of impeccable standards.

He also a ran a 25 light engine Crewe - Stafford for someone who had missed a connection due to a train retiming , the passenger's needs were genuine , so she got a rear cab ride and was accompanied.

This would not happen today.

 

[Taunton]

Arranged by a very good friend when he was Station Manager BY , a man of impeccable standards.

Exactly the same at the East Anglian Railway Museum at Chappel, who have about half a mile of line; several 3-plank open wagons with the picnic area benches loaded inside, hauled by Thomas. Kids thought it was great!

 

[6Gman]

Arranged by a very good friend when he was Station Manager BY , a man of impeccable standards.

He also a ran a 25 light engine Crewe - Stafford for someone who had missed a connection due to a train retiming , the passenger's needs were genuine , so she got a rear cab ride and was accompanied.

This would not happen today.

Many years ago we (family of 4) somehow got stuck at Georgemas Junction.

We were conveyed to Thurso in a freight brake van hauled by a 26.

Not sure if it was a planned move on which we were offered space or an entirely special arrangement.

This would not happen today.

 

[RT4038]

I don't believe that one for a minute

On the wedding day of Charles & Diana in 1981 an extra bank holiday was declared. The railway ran normal service and the Eastern Region issued a £2 return ticket anywhere on their system (excl south of, I think, Peterborough, Cambridge and Chelmsford?). Huge crowds took advantage of the offer (which was cheap even then). I travelled from the North East to Peterborough, intent of 'doing' the East Suffolk Line. There was a big crowd for the Birmingham-Norwich train, hauled by a Brush Type 2, which overwhelmed the Mk1 coaches. The loco was uncoupled and collected two full brake coaches (presumably the only available vehicles), and I and many others stood in these to Norwich. Fortunately everyone was in good spirits and it was a warm day. Imagine that now!

 

[D1537]

Many years ago we (family of 4) somehow got stuck at Georgemas Junction.

We were conveyed to Thurso in a freight brake van hauled by a 26.

Not sure if it was a planned move on which we were offered space or an entirely special arrangement.

This would not happen today.

Around 1983ish, myself and another basher (who I didn't know at the time) did the "Annan move" to get a Class 27 for haulage from Carlisle. Unfortunately due to a signalling problem we missed the southbound return at Annan, and were faced with not being able to get home to the Midlands if we waited for the next train. While we were debating what to do, an engineers train ran into the platform hauled by a Class 25. We politely explained our predicament to the workers on the train, and were conveyed back to Kingmoor Yard on this train, from which we walked back to Citadel in time for the last southbound WCML train.

This, also, would not happen today!

 

[Graham H]

They went back south on the booked return working as well. I was slightly miffed as I would have normally been in the West Midlands, but had been doing 40s in North Wales that day.

1M87 1105 Portsmouth-Manchester
https://www.flickr.com/photos/47209/6904445701/
1O92 1423 Manchester-Portsmouth
https://www.flickr.com/photos/d1059/7442869136/

The second photo comments suggests a previous 73 lash up. Memory fades and I cant find the photos but I was on what I believe was a FO Portsmouth to Leeds service around that time just after a handful of through trains were introduced. This might have been the first day of the service and as I was on my way to visit relatives this would definitely have been a Friday. Stock seemed to be pretty much all MK1 CK and virtually nobody else was on the train so I had a first class (declassified) compartment to myself...well actually the whole coach. Routed via Guildford, actual changeover to diesel took place in motion where there is a speed restriction before Ash Station. I stayed on after Reading where I was supposed to have changed and can confirm the ED's were still in charge leaving Oxford.
In addition, a number of services from Portsmouth to Waterloo were run with pairs of 73's during the winter of 81 or 82 as leaf/ice busters. These were loco hauled stock (not units) and I regularly saw one set on an up stopper at Rowlands Castle in the morning. Running on electric as I assumed (someone please correct) that 4 pick up shoes at the front end would be enough to maintain contact and of course diesel could be used if needed.

 

[Helvellyn]

It would be rail replacement buses these days but in the late 1980s there was a closure of the WCML between Lancaster and Preston over a number of weekends. WCML services were diverted via the S&C but a local Carlisle-Lancaster service was provided with 31/4s and four Mark 2D InterCity corridor firsts (BFK plus three FKs).

I think one weekend Kingmoor 108s were used though. Would have been interesting going over Shap given they were Power-Trailer sets.

 

[Bevan Price]

1. Must have been 1980s or early 1990s. Arrived at Euston one morning, and found a 31/4 on the buffer stops of a nearby platform, having arrived earlier on a service from Wolverhampton or Birmingham. Got a (poor) photo of it somewhere.
2. Labour dispute at Allerton (1975) created shortage of dmus. Class 40s + Mark 1 stock on some Liverpool area locals to Wigan, Manchester & elsewhere.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

The Night Riviera did a morning Paddington-Oxford-Paddington turn in 2010:

https://groups.google.com/forum/m/#!topic/uk.railway/W-zHwwotscU

 

[317362]

Which reminded me of this one, turned up at Reading to get the normal train to Twyford, was a 3 coach HST! Not my video but very comprehensive explanation.

 

[Bradway]

Sometime around 1998 I used to commute Mancs - Birchwood.

One evening we were warned at Birchwood the next train wouldn't stop and stand back.

It did.

57 pulling a Virgin rake (not diesels but I don'#t know if Pendo or not), four cars opened to BWD -> Manc commuters. Best commute I ever had.